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KDOT to Conduct Transportation Enhancement Workshop

May 31, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Contact: Stan Whitley, (785) 296-3585

KDOT to Conduct Transportation Enhancement Workshop

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will be conducting an informational workshop on Aug. 13 and 14 at Fort Hays State University to assist local governments in applying for federal funds for community Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects.

Any public entity, private, nonprofit, or civic organization that is interested in learning how to apply for these funds should plan to attend the TE Workshop. However, all project applications must be sponsored by a local unit of government.  This TE Workshop will provide potential applicants with program guidelines and helpful information to assist in the preparation of the TE Project Application for anticipated funding of the TE Program for federal fiscal years 2004 and 2005.

Pre-registration forms were mailed during the first week of April to all public works offices in the state and other known interested parties. All of those who responded will be mailed a TE Workshop registration packet and TE Project Application packet during the second week in June. If you did not pre-register, but would still like to make TE Workshop reservations and/or receive a TE Project Application packet, please e-mail kaye@ksdot.org or call the KDOT Office of Engineering Support at (785) 296-7940.

Transportation Enhancement information also can be found on the KDOT web page at kdot1.ksdot.org, click "Doing Business," "Information for Local Units of Government," then scroll down and click "Transportation Enhancement Program."

TE Workshop reservations along with the registration fee of $20, must be postmarked by the July 15, 2002, deadline. The cost to register after July 15 will be $25. Registrations made after July 29 will not include lunch.

The three major program categories are Historic, Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities and Scenic and Environmental. Projects must be related to at least one of the following categories and have a direct link to surface transportation. 

Examples of Historic category projects include: acquisition of historic sites; historic highway programs (including tourist and welcome center facilities); historic preservation; rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities; archaeological planning and research; and the establishment of transportation museums.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Facility category examples include:  facilities for pedestrians and bicycles; pedestrian or bicycle trails; and safety/educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Scenic and Environmental category examples include: acquisition of scenic easements and scenic sites; scenic highway programs (including tourist and welcome center facilities); landscaping and other scenic beautification; control and removal of outdoor advertising; and environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff; or the reduction of vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity.

Representatives from each program category committee will be available to explain the application process and answer questions.